The statewide deer take was down 18 percent compared to the 2003
season, state Department of Environmental Conservation officials told
hunters Tuesday night.

The number is the lowest since 1995.

The take was way down in parts of Ulster and Sullivan counties,
said Richard Henry, the DEC's big game biologist, at a public hearing at
Ulster County Community College.

The final numbers for specific areas won't be released for two
weeks.

Local hunting clubs in Sullivan estimate the take is down by 40
percent or more, the worst season in 50 years.

Many local hunters blame the DEC's ban on deer feeding, believing
winter starvation devastated the herd.

Henry noted the take was down in Vermont and Pennsylvania.

"You can blame lousy deer management in New York State, but that
doesn't explain the Vermont take," he told hunters Tuesday night.

After the presentation, Henry defended the ban on feeding deer,
calling it "reasonable and prudent" as a precaution to prevent the spread of
chronic wasting disease, which hasn't yet be found in New York.

Henry said deer populations tend to be cyclical, and the herd is
sure to rebound.

The DEC also took public comment from hunters on a proposed
restructuring of the 2005 season.

The vast majority of the 140 hunters in attendance raised their
hands when asked if they opposed early muzzleloading season, which overlaps
with early archery season.

One idea that did appeal to several hunters, such as Brian
O'Conner of Olive Bridge, was moving opening day to a Saturday.

That's bound to get more young hunters out, O'Conner said.

Big game season in New York

2004

Deer take: 206,000

Buck take: 88,500

2003

Deer Take: 253,000

Buck Take: 107,000

Source: State Department of Environmental Conservation

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